Compound engine



(Nn Model.) I A S. L. HATFIELD.

GOMPOUND ENGINE.

N0. 318,898. Patented May 26, 1885.

'u lll Unire Starts erica.

arena* CoMPouND ENGINE.

SPECFCATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,898, dated h-'fay 26, 1885.

Application filed June'iO, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, SHERIDAN L. HATFIELD, of Reading, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compound Engines, of which the followingis afull, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a compound rotary steam-engine; and it consists of the construction and arrangement of a revolving steamchest provided with radial steam-passages and eXhaust-passages,in combination with a series of steam-piston cylinders connected to gearwheels for operation, all substantially as hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying plate of drawings,Fig ure l represents in cross-section a compound rotary steam-engine constructed according to this invention; Fig. 2, a partial section and partial side view, and Fig. 3 a sectional view in detail.

In the drawings, Arepresents a cylindrical casing or cylinder having closed ends B. EX- tending radially from the sides of the casing A are three steam cylinders, C, D, and E,

equidistant from each other and on the same horizontal plane. Each of these steam-cylinders C D E has a piston-head, F, arranged to move back and forth in its chamber G, the piston-head connecting by a pitman-rod, H, with a pin, a, in the side of a disk or plate, J, on a shaft, b, arranged to rotate in suitable bearings, each of which shafts b carries a gearwheel, K, that engages with a large gearwheel, L, on a shaft, M, arranged to rotate parallel with the shafts b, and turning in a bearing, d, in the casing A, and by its other end in any suitable support.

The end j' of the shaft M extends through the side and into the chamberN of the casing A, and is secured to the side k of a cylindrical steam-chest, F, located in the casing A, its periphery g just tting within the interiorperiphery, h, of the casing A.

A shaft, Q, attached to the side Z of the steam-chest P, extends therefrom through the wall m of the cylinder Ain the same axial line as the shaft M, and is arranged to turn in a bearing, n, of said wall m. The steam-chest is narrower than the cylinder A, so that a space is 'left each side thereof, as shown more particu- Vwhich communicates with the central chamber,R,of the steam-chest, and in the operation of the engine steam is let into the chamber R through the shaft Q from any suitable supply, which then passes through the radial passages T and out at the outer end, q, of the one that is in communication with one of the steamcylinders C, D, or E, which causes its'pistonhead F to move back, revolving its gear-wheel K, and through it the large gear-wheel L, which turns the shaft M, and thus the steam-chest within the casing A, and the other gear-wheels.

The three cylinders C D E are so arranged in connection with the size of the opening S in the casing that some one of the radial passages is in connection with one of the steam-cylinders C D E at all times, and also s o that just before the one radial passage T which is in communication with its opening S with its corresponding steam cylinder passes by such opening in the rotation of the steam-chest, the second radial passage from it will have formed communication with the steam-cylinder at which it may be, and so on one after the other during the operation of the engine, so that there shall be a constant pressure upon the shaft for the proper working of the engine, and thus the gearwheel L and its shaft M, with a constant supply of steam to the steam-chest, will be constantly and evenly revolved, and by proper connection, &c., properly operate mechanism connected therewith.

The crank-pins a on the disks are so arranged in relation to each other-that is, on the thirds,77 so called-that the dead-centeris entirely obviated.

After theV outer end of each steam-passage T has passed the opening S in the cylinder there comes to such opening S a passage or opening, V, in the periphery g of the steam- I OO chest, which communicates by a passage, r, through the side wall and opening into the chamber N. These passages V are for the exhaust, and in the revolution of the disk Jby its gearKthe piston-head is caused to travel backward in the steam-cylinder, forcing the steam out through the exhaust-passage V, then in communication therewith into the chamber N, out through a pipe, t, and by the time all the steam is out of the cylinder the piston-head will be near the inner end in position to be acted upon by the steam passing from the next radial passage, which in the continued revolution of the steam-chest has come into proper position.

The steam-cylinders are all arranged to be supported upon a frame in any suitable manner, and also the shafts M b of the gear-wheels are arranged to turn in suitable bearings in such support, all as is usual, and needing no particular description herein.

In Fig. 3 the steam enters through a pipe, V, into the chamber N, and passes into the radial passages T through separate openings o in the side of the steam-chest, which can be used, if desired, in lieu of through the shaft.

The exhaust is by similar passages, 2r, opening to the other side of the steam-chest, as shown in the drawings, and exhausting into the chamber N and out at the pipe t.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

The combination, with a steam chest arranged to revolve in a suitable steam cylinder or casing, and provided with steam radial and exhaust passages, and having communication with a steam-supply, of steam piston cylinders having communication with said steam-cylinder, the piston-heads of which piston-cylinders are connected to gear-wheels arranged to engage with a gear-wheel attached to the shaft of said steam-chest for operation, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- SHERIDAN L. HATFIELD. Vitnesses:

EDWIN W. BROWN, WILLIAM S. BELLows. 

